Before Clark returned, Kara took advantage of the free time at home to practice her newly awakened abilities, achieving a notable level of control and understanding.
Kara discovered that by shrinking to the size of an ant, her attack power could become even more fearsome due to the intensified impact and concentration of force. To put it simply, if an ordinary person were reduced to ant-size, a punch from them could equate to the force of a bullet, potentially penetrating a person's body. But Kara's power was on an entirely different scale.
If she didn't consciously hold back, a simple landing could generate tremors similar to an earthquake, and a punch could pierce deep into the ground. In contrast, when she grew larger, her power scaled up too—just in a broader area, rather than a concentrated point. Shrinking allowed for greater penetration, like a sniper's precision, while growing larger was akin to a powerful explosion, delivering widespread impact.
Thus, each transformation had its own strategic value: being small granted stealth, making her harder to detect and allowing for precision attacks; while being larger amplified her overall strength. She couldn't help but think how different things might have gone had she awakened this power earlier in Gotham—fighting the Joker would have been much simpler. But better late than never.
The following day, as Martha mentioned, Clark returned from Metropolis.
The siblings hadn't seen each other in a while, so naturally, there was much to catch up on. That evening, after dinner, they decided to visit their "secret base," an isolated island they often used for training and relaxation. Only here could they unleash their full strength without fearing accidental destruction.
"Alright, Clark, let's see if you're out of practice," Kara teased, charging toward him playfully.
Clark didn't hesitate, meeting her with a grin as he braced himself. When their hands met, the impact sent shockwaves through the surrounding waters, causing waves to crash against the shore.
Floating mid-air, the two wrestled, their hands locked as they tested each other's strength. Kara was careful not to use all her power at first, aware that her younger brother, despite his impressive growth, had yet to fully match her strength. However, as they sparred, she realized how much Clark had improved. Not only was he catching up to her strength, but he had also grown taller, now standing at an impressive 6'3"—just enough to surpass her own height of 6'2".
Kara couldn't help but stare in surprise at her brother, who'd matured into a towering figure. Taking her surprise as a distraction, Clark loosened his grip for a moment. But Kara was ready.
"Gotcha," she smirked.
With a swift push, she sent Clark crashing to the ground, causing the island to tremble slightly. Sprawled out, Clark groaned in playful protest.
"Come on, that wasn't fair!" he muttered, feigning annoyance.
Laughing, Kara shook her head. "Clark, never let your guard down. If I'd been an actual enemy, you'd be done for."
Clark crossed his arms defiantly. "You wouldn't hurt me, and it was you who got distracted first! So, technically, it's your fault."
Seeing his determination, Kara pulled him up, gesturing for another round. "Alright then, let's see what you've got."
This time, Kara didn't hold back, quickly overwhelming Clark as she adjusted her strength to keep him just on edge. Despite his best efforts, Clark eventually found himself pinned once again, conceding defeat with a smile.
That was just the warm-up, though. They spent the next hour practicing various combat techniques and skills that Kara had been teaching him. From Taekwondo and Muay Thai to more refined techniques like Tai Chi and Baguazhang, Kara had introduced Clark to an array of martial arts, hoping he'd gain both skill and discipline in the process.
On this secluded island, they could spar and explore their abilities without any concerns. Kara guided him through the techniques she'd mastered, focusing on movements, strikes, and techniques he could use to bolster his combat experience for real-life scenarios.
Toward the end of their session, they decided to compare their unique powers. Kara's heat vision was a striking blue, distinct from Clark's classic red beams—a difference she jokingly attributed to "big sister privileges." They also practiced their super breath, each producing gusts powerful enough to stir up a mini-hurricane or freeze the ocean surface nearby.
Lastly, Kara checked Clark's progress with his magic studies. Though he hadn't advanced much with the elemental spells, his skill in telekinesis had notably improved, providing him with a valuable means of defense.
"Remember, Clark," Kara advised, "telekinesis can protect you from attacks you aren't prepared for. Practice it often."
Clark nodded earnestly. "Got it, Kara. I'll work on it."
They both felt a deep sense of fulfillment in each other's company, relishing in a training session they couldn't have shared with anyone else. Kara, after all, couldn't exactly spar with Batman without holding back—and Clark was, for now, the only one on Earth who could withstand her full strength.
"Alright, it's time to head home," Kara said with a smile, giving her brother a playful nudge.
Just as they were about to leave, they noticed a group of unexpected visitors approaching the island.